Ministers promise online GP booking service by 2015

Ministers have promised that patients in England will be able to book online GP appointments within three years, to prevent the 8am telephone rush.

An Information Strategy has been designed to ‘take the hassle out of the health service’. It will involve patients being able to book GP appointments and get test results online by 2015.

In addition, repeat prescriptions will be available online, and patients will have access to electronic medical records.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Our NHS reforms are about making life easier for patients. By allowing people to access the NHS online, we will put an end to the 8am rush to phone your GP to try and book an appointment.

"Reforms like this will take the hassle out of the health service."

Online communication between patients and their doctors is already happening in some places, but the strategy aims for universal adoption of digital technologies.

Patients with private medical insurance also need to visit their GP before being transferred to a specialist or private hospital of their choice. However, some private hospitals do offer private GP services for a one-off fee. For more information on how this works, take a look at our Medical Insurance FAQ page.

Ministers promise online GP booking service by 2015Ministers have promised that patients in England will be able to book online GP appointments within three years, to prevent the 8am telephonFollow @activequote

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